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Class of 1986
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Joseph "Buddy" Lex
Buddy Lex was born February 23, 1926 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was an outstanding high school athlete at Newport News High School, where he made the All State basketball and football teams and All Southern football.
Lex, a graduate of the College of William and Mary, was truly one of the last great triple-threat tailbacks operating from the single wing. In 1949, Lex was a runner-up to Sam Snead as Athlete of the Year in the state of Virginia. Snead won the PGA and the Masters that year while Lex led the nation in touchdown passes and ranked second in total offense, third in passes completed, and ninth in punting. He also found time to be the extra point kicker. Lex’s feats included victories against such competition as Pittsburgh, Michigan State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Houston, Arkansas, and Virginia Tech. Even with this tough schedule, William & Mary was ranked as high as 12th in the nation in 1948 and 16th in 1947.
In 1949, Lex threw a record 18 touchdown passes in a single season, a record that has since been broken. Eric Tipton, backfield coach at William & Mary at the time, attested that Lex was one of the best quick kickers he had ever seen or coached. The All Southern backfield in 1949 included Lex, Charlie Justice, Bill Cox of Duke and Bill Gregus of Wake Forrest. This backfield was truly a coach’s dream. In addition to his All Southern honors, Lex was named to the 1948 and 1949 All State teams. On at least three occasions, he was named the Athlete of the Week in the state of Virginia. Lex also played varsity basketball and was a starter for two years.
In 1944-45, Lex served in the Army during World War II and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, the Ruhr Pocket and crossing of the Rhine at Remagen.
In 1990, Lex was selected to the All Time William & Mary team.
(To Sports Inductees List) |
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